Czech Republic Guide
West Bohemia
For centuries, the rolling hills of West Bohemia (Západní Čechy) have been a buffer zone between the Slav world and the German-speaking lands. The economic mainstay of the region for the last century has been the sprawling capital city of Plzeň, home of the Škoda engineering works and centre of the country's beer industry. It's not the most picturesque of places, but it does have a certain nineteenth-century grandeur, and has appeal for anyone who thirsts for Czech beer. The main draw of West Bohemia, however, is its famous triangle of spas: Mariánské Lázně, Františkovy Lázně and Karlovy Vary. All three spa towns are very attractive visually, but they do tend to be full of the plethoric and elderly, so if you need a break from cure-seekers, head for nearby Cheb or Loket, both beautifully preserved towns and largely crowd-free.
Highlights
1 Pilsner Urquell brewery Take a guided tour of Plzeň's famous brewery, home of the original lager – complete with a tasting session.
2 Kladruby monastery A Baroque– Gothic masterpiece by Czech-Italian architect Giovanni Santini.
3 Domažlice This Bohemian town in the middle of the border region is renowned for its folk traditions and summer festival.
4 Mariánské Lázně Elegant fin-de-siècle spa, once the favourite watering hole of European royalty, set in gentle wooded hills.
5 Karlovy Vary Grandiose late nineteenth-century spa, stretched out along the steeply wooded Teplá Valley, and host of the country's most prestigious film festival.
6 Loket Miniature walled town, squeezed into a U-bend of a river, with a gothic castle encircled by some of the region's most beguiling streets.
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